Hyosung Promotes 'Blue Carbon' Zalpiseup Conservation Project

Nylon Depolymerization Facility? Hydrogen Liner, etc.
Massive Investment in Eco-Friendly Businesses
Ecological Conservation Activities Including Jalpiseup and Jeonju Mulgoripul

Chairman Cho Hyun-joon of Hyosung. Photo by Hyosung Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] Cho Hyun-joon, Chairman of Hyosung, who has emphasized eco-friendly management since the beginning of his tenure, is continuing his eco-friendly initiatives by promoting marine ecosystem conservation projects.

On the 28th, Hyosung announced that three companies?Hyosung Corporation, the holding company, Hyosung TNC Co., Ltd., and Hyosung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.?have contributed to the Rural-Fishery Win-Win Cooperation Fund to jointly promote a Zalpisoop (Zalpi Forest) conservation project with the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency and Geoje City.

Zalpi, a representative blue carbon species, is a marine protected organism designated under the Marine Ecosystem Act. Since 2009, the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency has established a Zalpi forest colony in the Dadae and Dapori waters of Geoje City, Gyeongsangnam-do, with Geoje City managing conservation activities.

Blue carbon refers to carbon absorbed by marine ecosystems, including organisms living along the coast such as Zalpi and shellfish, as well as Zalpi forests, mangrove forests, and tidal wetlands. The carbon absorption rate is up to 50 times faster than terrestrial ecosystems like forests, and since it is free from risks such as wildfires, it is gaining attention as a carbon storage resource.

The fund contributed by Hyosung will be used for activities such as ▲monitoring the distribution status and habitat environment of Zalpi ▲transplanting Zalpi to areas requiring restoration ▲collecting abandoned fishing gear discarded in the sea, and other marine environmental improvement efforts.

Previously, Hyosung Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. and Hyosung Chemical Co., Ltd. also carried out projects such as ▲planting and conserving the endangered wild plant Jeonju Mulkkoripul (Jeonju Water Sprout) in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do ▲and conducting behavioral enrichment activities for nationally protected animals in cooperation with Cheongju Zoo.

Zalpi Forest. Photo by Hyosung Group

Since mid-this month, Hyosung TNC has begun full-scale operation of a depolymerization facility at its Ulsan plant to produce nylon recycled fibers. In 2007, Hyosung TNC succeeded in developing nylon recycled fibers by recycling discarded fishing nets for the first time in the world.

The depolymerization facility, with an annual production capacity of 3,600 tons, chemically breaks down discarded fishing nets collected from the sea to produce caprolactam, the raw material for nylon. This investment follows Chairman Cho’s directive to lead the global eco-friendly fiber market trend not only in polyester recycled fibers but also in the nylon fiber market.

Chairman Cho has emphasized the need for in-depth research on global warming phenomena to respond closely to climate change. From 2017 to 2019, under his policy to increase young talents’ interest in environmental issues and enhance communication with them, idea contests were held for university students to solve environmental problems such as global warming.

Chairman Cho also encourages employees to practice eco-friendly habits in their daily lives through campaigns to foster an eco-friendly corporate culture. Since May last year, employees at the Mapo and Banpo headquarters of Hyosung TNC have been participating in a ‘Personal Cup Use in the Office’ campaign. This initiative eliminates disposable items such as paper cups placed in pantries and provides employees with subsidies to purchase personal tumblers.

Additionally, since February this year, a ‘PET Bottle Collection’ campaign has been conducted. When employees collect used PET bottles, they are rewarded with bags and other items made from Hyosung TNC’s polyester recycled fiber ‘Regen.’ Chairman Cho stated, "Eco-friendly management is an essential element for survival beyond corporate social responsibility. We will actively participate in ecosystem conservation activities and strive to establish an eco-friendly manufacturing environment that can coexist with the ecosystem, thereby leading the global market as a total eco-friendly manufacturing company."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.